Laser Vision Correction Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Are results from Laser Vision Correction permanent, what is the cost of an initial evaluation and other frequently asked questions.

Q. Are the results achieved from Laser Vision Correction permanent?

A. In most people they are permanent, however, regression or progression can rarely occur, requiring enhancement surgery.

Q. If I have Laser Vision Correction and my vision changes later in life, can it be redone?

A. Yes, in most cases, limited only by the need for the cornea to be thick enough to withstand further surgery.

Q. Do you charge for the initial Laser Vision Correction evaluation?

A. No. Dr. Gold has never felt it necessary to charge for the initial evaluation to determine whether a person is a good candidate for Laser Vision Correction.

Q. Are there age limits for Laser Vision Correction?

A. There is a lower age limit. Before the age of 18, there is still potential for the eyes to grow and change. The youngest patients Dr. Gold has done the surgery for are an 18 year old young man and a 19 year old young woman. In both cases, previous eye exam records had shown no further growth of the eyes for the previous three years. There is no upper age limit. Advanced age can bring about cataracts and other eye diseases which make some seniors unsuitable candidates for laser vision correction, but it is not the number of years alone which is the deciding factor. This is one of the reasons that a screening exam must be done before going any further.

Q. Will I experience long-term side effects after my Laser Vision Correction?

A. Side effects such as dryness, glare, and halos, under- and over-corrections can occur, but they are rare. Dr. Gold tells everyone to expect to have drier eyes after surgery than before, but patients start on lubricating drops and omega-3 even before surgery to help mitigate this problem. Although glare and haloes are very common after surgery they hardly ever last longer than a few weeks, and usually do not prevent day or night driving.

Q. Will I see 20/20 after my Laser Vision Correction procedure?

A. No one can guarantee any surgical procedure's outcome. However, an overwhelming majority of patients achieve 20/20 or better vision. Even more important, however, than the actual number, Dr. Gold attempts to achieve 20/happy vision. We can discuss this at the time of your free screening exam.

Q. I hear that some nearsightedness comes back after awhile. Is that correct?

A. This would be called "regression", and it is exceptionally rare.

Q. If I am still nearsighted after the Laser Vision Correction procedure, can I be treated again?

A. Yes, in most cases such an under-correction can be corrected with a tyouch-up, limited only by the need for the cornea to be thick enough to withstand further surgery.

Q. Can I have Laser Vision Correction surgery if I had a previous corneal transplant or radial keratotomy?

A. Generally, yes, but each case has to be individualized to make that determination.

Q. Will my eyes deteriorate in the future?

A. No one can predict the future. Further progression of myopia following Laser Vision Correction, although rare, can occur, requiring enhancement surgery. In this practice, the percentage of eyes requiring later enhancement is 1.4%, a very low number. The other thing that will happen to everyone, unrelated to the surgery is the development of presbyopia at the approximate age of 45. This is the need for reading glasses. When it develops, an additional procedure can be done to create a mild amount of nearsightedness in the non-dominant eye so that the person can see far and near at the same time. This is called MonoVision

Q: What is the difference between conventional and custom treatment.

A. In the early days of Laser Vision Correction, the lasers were relatively unsophisticated and each eye was treated as if it was the same as every other eye with the same prescription. For several years now, however, we have been able to specifically record all the high and low points on the surface of every eye and tailor the treatment to that specific eye. The results have been a quantum leap forward with this custom treatment compared to conventional. Custom has made treating astigmatism as straightforward as treating nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Q. What makes Liberty Vision different from other laser centers?

A. At Liberty Vision the patients only deal with one doctor and one Certified Ophthalmic Assistant. From the time of your free screening exam and then through surgery and all your post-op care, Dr. Gold and Ms. Kent will help you through the entire process. This is unlike the high volume, discount laser centers that you see in all the TV and radio ads where you are handed back and forth from one assistant to the business office to another assistant.

Q. How important is the choice of a doctor?

A. It is critical to choose a surgeon who has done thousands of procedures so he/she is beyond the “learning curve”. Dr. Gold has performed over 12,000 Laser Vision Correction procedures. It is highly important to have your surgery performed by the same person who does your work-up and will also do your postoperative care.

Q. Do you offer any discounts.

A. Yes certain discounts apply for certain patients. This is determined at the time of your free screening exam.

Read Also

Why Choose Epi-LASIK over LASIK?

Epi-LASIK is the modern version of PRK, which is the Laser Vision Correction procedure initially approved by the FDA in 1995, does not involve any cutting of the cornea and therefore does not diminish the structural integrity of the cornea.

Ms. Laurie Page, Physical Therapist

“The entire experience at Liberty Vision with Dr. J. Gold and staff was professional, reassuring, and all staff obviously were involved in the caring approach with their patients. Dr. Gold is experienced, ready to answer any email, phone call and waited for me on post-op day 3 late in the day to further assess a concern of mine. The entire approach is what I was looking for and found!! Thank you! I love my new glasses-free lifestyle!!”